Iran war latest: US Navy intercept and board Iranian-flagged cargo ship, Trump says

Is Trump threatening to commit war crimes?Published at 15:52 BST15:52 BST

tom bateman
US State Department correspondent

image Source, reuters

In an earlier Truth Social post, the US President had again threatened to attack civilian infrastructure in Iran if a deal was not reached. This isn’t the first time he’s suggested destroying bridges and power plants – here’s what.

According to international treaties and conventions on the laws of war, Donald Trump’s threat to blow up power plants and bridges in Iran would amount to a threat to commit a potential war crime.

Deliberate destruction of energy infrastructure can have devastating effects on civilian life – even if it is argued that the plants also have a military or government purpose.

Luis Moreno Ocampo, the founding chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) – to which neither the US nor Iran are parties – told me earlier this month when Trump made a similar threat that bombing Iranian power plants, as well as attacks by both Iran and Israel on energy infrastructure, would not be legitimate targets.

Under the Rome statute established by the court, “knowingly directing attacks on civilian objects … that are not military objectives” is a war crime, Moreno Ocampo said.

White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt was asked about this issue of possible war crimes and rejected the notion.

“Of course, this administration and the armed forces of the United States will always operate within the law.

“But with respect to achieving the full objectives of Operation Epic Fury, President Trump is going to move forward unabated. And he expects the Iranian regime to reach an agreement with the administration.”

Trump himself said in a newspaper interview earlier this year that he did not “need” international law and was limited only by his morality. “My own mind is the only thing that can stop me,” he said.